Journey into the heart of Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link

The western artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link — a monumental cross-sea project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area — began a month-long trial operation as a tourism destination on Saturday.

A visitor poses for a photo on the artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link on Saturday. Photos by Xinhua

Scheduled to officially open in December, the island marks a key part of the 24-kilometer link, a massive engineering feat that brings together bridges, islands, a submerged tunnel, and underwater interchanges.

After seven years of planning and another seven years of construction, this world-class project opened to traffic June 30, 2024. Over the past year, countless vehicles have traveled across the bridge, descending into the tunnel via the western island and reemerging from beneath the sea back onto the bridge.

A view of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge from the central viewing platform on the west artificial island.

As a vital hub for the bridge-tunnel transition, the western artificial island spans approximately 137,000 square meters and serves multiple functions, including traffic management, emergency rescue, and science education.

During the trial period, group reservations will be accepted on weekdays, while weekend visits will be open to the general public. Each recommended tour lasts about two hours.

Visitors with confirmed reservations can take complimentary shuttle buses to the island. There, they can ascend to the central viewing platform for panoramic views of landmarks such as Shenzhen Airport and the sweeping Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge.

A young visitor experiences an interactive game at the Science Base on the artificial island of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link on Saturday.

The experience also includes access to a 2,200-square-meter Science Base, where immersive VR/AR and interactive digital exhibits showcase the engineering marvels behind this cross-sea project.

In the outdoor exhibition area, a full-scale test section of the submerged tunnel’s steel shell and other authentic components are on display, offering a close-up look at the groundbreaking engineering behind one of the world’s most advanced mega-infrastructures.

Tickets and reservations are available through the WeChat mini-programs “Shen Ai Piao (深爱票),” “Shen-Zhong Kuashi Gongjiao Zhuanxian (深中跨市公交专线)”, and “Xiangshan Changxing (香山畅行).”

For group reservations, access the WeChat account “Shenwenlv Fazhan (深文旅发展).”

All tickets require real-name registration 1 to 7 days in advance. Discounts are available during trial operation. The tickets include a free ride on the shuttle bus service.

Adult ticket: 188 yuan/person

Student ticket: 158 yuan/person (Ages 6 to 17)

Child ticket: 128 yuan/person (Ages 5 and under or height under 1.2 meters)

Shuttle bus service:

Pickup location 1: People's Building Ground Parking Lot, 6002 Shennan Avenue, Futian District

（福田区深南大道6002号人民大厦地上停车场）

Departure Times: 8:20 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.

Pickup location 2: Qianhaiwan Intercity Bus Stop

Metro: Exit B1, Qianhaiwan Metro Station, Nanshan District（南山区前海湾地铁站B1出口前海湾跨市公交专线接驳站）

Departure Times: 9 a.m., 2 p.m.

Pickup location 3: Zhongshan Expo Center Station, Zhongshan（中山市中山博览中心公交枢纽站）

Departure Times: 9 a.m., 2 p.m.